Many people feel nervous the night before a big speech. But very few have had as many nights to chew over a speech as Charles III, who yesterday gave his first ever King's SpeechA speech by the British monarch outlining the UK government's plans for the year ahead. after 74 years of waiting.

Some of the measures he announced have cross-party support, like a gradual smoking ban and a new regulator for English football. Others are red meat for the ToryA member of the Conservative party.  faithful, from new licences for oil and gas projects to tougher sentences for prisoners.

Although the monarch reads out the plans, they are not his own ideas and he will have no part in carrying them out.

What is odd about the event is that almost nothing announced in the speech will actually be carried out. ParliamentAn assembly of representatives, usually of an entire nation, that makes laws. will meet on likely only around 100 days before the next general election, not enough time to pass the legislationLegislation consists of a law or laws passed by a government. proposed in the speech.¹

Few experts believe the Conservatives will win that vote. LabourBritain's main left-of-centre political party.'s average poll lead is 20%.² Afterwards, it will immediately ditch this whole agenda.

Which is why some think Charles, who is known for radical ideas, may be interested in hearing an alternative script. Here are five bold new ideas for Britain he could have announced:

New towns: Some of Britain's most iconic towns, from Milton Keynes to Letchworth, were built from scratch in the last century. We could get building again to ease the housing crisis - and Charles could put his views on architecture to good use.

RewildingReturning developed or farmed land to its natural state by reintroducing species that once lived there. : Fully one-sixth of all the UK's species are at risk of extinction.³ We are one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth.⁴ Charles could pledge to bring back the great British countryside.

Brand-new railway: The need for railways has never been greater. Why not build a new line stretching from Brighton up to the Orkney IslandsA group of Scottish islands. People live on 20 of the islands. , a British Trans-Siberian RailwayThe longest railway line in the world, connecting Moscow in Russia's west to Vladivostok in the far east. ?

Channel Bridge: And while we're at it, why stop at the southern coast? A bridge across the Channel would offer stunning views and relieve pressure on the Channel TunnelA tunnel connecting England and France, through which trains run. .

Commonwealth state: Charles is not just king of the UK, but head of the CommonwealthOfficially called the Commonwealth of Nations, it was set up in 1926. There are 54 members in all. It grew out of the British Empire and many members, although not all, were former British colonies. , a group of 56 states that spans every continent.⁵ If all of these countries worked together more, the bloc could be very powerful.

Yes: Charles was never likely to throw out the government's speech and make his own. But he still has important influence, not least through his weekly meetings with the prime minister.

No: Charles made it clear how little he liked provisions in the speech, like the new drilling licences. But the constitution has turned him into nothing more than a puppet of the government.

Or... Charles is not likely to rock the boat now, as his reign begins. But as he settles into his role as king, he might start to push for more of his pet projects, like environmentalism and traditional architecture.